JAY – Thus far, the Jay Police Department has been awarded $31,000 in grants this year for equipment and extra safety patrols, said Police Chief Larry White, Sr. today.
Among the grants awarded were: $800 from the Bureau of Highway Safety for the operating under the influence enforcement grant, two computer laptop tough books for a total of $5,696.00, one in-car video system $4,000 and one radar unit totaling $2,520.
From the Maine Department of Public Safety, night vision equipment totaling $4,000 was granted, along with police surveillance equipment for $12,684 and firearms equipment for $1,300.
According to Chief White, the Jay Police Department has been actively applying for and receiving numerous grants as the department has in past years. The department seeks grants in an effort to obtain equipment for the department without increasing its budget.
“The department received an enforcement grant for extra patrols and a roadblock which they did this summer,” White said, which resulted in arrests of drivers operating under the influence.
“Much of the equipment listed would not have been possible to obtain if it had not been for the grants the department received,” he said. “The equipment received with grants from the Maine Department of Public Safety will enhance the department capabilities in regards to criminal investigation.”
I think it is tremendous that the Jay Police Department works so hard to find alternative sources of funding for important improvements and programs. Like all law enforcement agencies, they are understaffed, overworked, and making a lot with what little they have. And any interactions with their officers have been exceptional.
Now, if some of those extra patrol dollars could go toward enforcing speed limits in neighborhoods with growing child/student populations such as the stretch of East Dixfield Rd. running from Route 4 to the turn at the Keep Road — where one can observe hourly cars, trucks and motorcycles going in excess of 65 mph through a posted 35, passing in a no passing zone, and drag racing — then they’d make some Jay residents sing the Jay PD’s praises that much louder. Parking a car at the firehouse isn’t doing the task. Regularly put a car on Jerry St. between the hours of 4 pm. and 7 p.m. and the problem would become immediately evident.